Bernadette Connolly puts her best specs forward for a win

A Monaghan woman has been chosen from hundreds of proud glasses wearers as a semi-finalist for Specsavers’ Spectacle Wearer of the Year.

The Semi-Finalist

Bernadette Connolly, aged 63, from Monaghan could follow in the footsteps of last year’s award winner Shane Haron and take home €12,000 and have the chance to mingle with the stars at the annual Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards. Glasses wearers across Ireland and the UK have been showing off their specs style by sharing their selfies online throughout the spring and summer.

Specsavers Monaghan

Bernadette was invited to visit the store to receive a bottle of champagne, a certificate and a €189 glasses voucher. Semi-finalist, Bernadette, says: ‘I applied to the competition on a whim. I had seen the competition on Specsavers’ Instagram and loved the charity link to The National Council for the Blind, Ireland. I had a picture I liked from my holidays and decided to apply. I feel like glasses can give you a whole new look, like wearing a new dress.’

The Store’s Reaction

Store director Martina Kelly, comments: ‘We are delighted that a customer from our store has succeeded in becoming an Irish semi-finalist and we would like to congratulate Bernadette on this achievement. Bernadette wears her glasses with great style and confidence so is a worthy winner in our eyes.’

The Awards

The awards were launched by Strictly Come Dancing star and TV personality Oti Mabuse earlier this year. If she triumphs in her category, Bernadette will meet Oti and rub shoulders with many other celebs at the glitzy awards ceremony at London's 8 Northumberland Avenue in October.

Spectacle Wearer of the Year

There are eight regional categories, spanning UK and Ireland, including a social media winner voted for by the public. All category winners will win a VIP makeover, with one overall winner taking home the ultimate accolade in specs wearing.